How SMEs can Take Advantage of Voice Search

In today’s highly digital age, voice search is one of the most exciting developments.

Can you ever imagine that you could now speak to your gadgets, and they’ll talk back at us, giving precisely what we’re looking for?

Well, this recent technology has been celebrated by tech-savvy savers, and later embraced by people from all walks of life.

But is voice search precisely for? In a 2018 study, 46 percent of voice search users look for local businesses daily. This technology provides an excellent opportunity for small and medium-sized entrepreneurs who are looking to attract more clients.

Why You Should Invest Now?

You need to make voice search a priority in your digital marketing strategies. It’s because it’s cost-efficient than more traditional advertising strategies, helping you connect with your ideal customer.

Moreover, it’s a rising trend that will give you quick gains over time. In a study by Google, 20 percent of search queries from their mobile app and Android come from voice searches, and those numbers are rapidly growing.

It’s also good to know that Google is prioritizing mobile search on its algorithms. In fact, within a few years, it’s predicted that by the time 2020 rolls in, half of the total online searches will be made through voice search.

Let Google Know Your Business

If you want to be easily found on local listings, having a business listing on Google is crucial. Google prioritizes its products (including voice searches and texts.)

To have an edge over your competitors, take advantage of Google’s My Business listing option.

The good thing is that you can claim it for free, and you take the time to fill out every single detail. Put the hours of your operation, your full business address, and other significant details.

That way, if someone is driving their car and uses their phone to search, “what excellent coffee shops are near me?” then it’s highly likely that your business will show up.

Mobile Optimization

A lot of marketers are already aware of the fact that mobile has now surpassed desktop searches. So, it’s important (more than ever) to be optimized on mobile.

It’s also critical that you compress your images, and craft pages that give a seamless mobile experience.

If you have slow-loading pages, users will bounce from your site. As a result, this will affect your keyword rankings, and drop your snippet in position zero, if you’ll lose your rankings on the first page of SERPs.

In this time and age, people don’t have the time to reach out to their laptops and desktops, switch them on, and connect to the internet. The modern consumer wants fast results and smartphones and tablets give them that.

So you have to ensure that your site is mobile-friendly enough. That way, users can easily click through your site and know what you have to offer them.

Moreover, take note of Google’s E-A-T (expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness.) It’s the search engine’s core algorithm back in 2018. It means that your site’s credibility will be based on credentials of your site, as well as its author.

Set-up your FAQ Page

Your site’s FAQ page can be used more than just a reference. You can also use it to generate voice and organic traffic when you optimize for long-tail keywords.

You can utilize tools like answerthepublic.com. Then, make a compilation of exact keyword match phrases that you can schema so that you can answer voice search queries.

Ensure that your answer to every question is about one to two sentences long.

Aside from that, you also need to craft a couple of pages so that the algorithms that are crawling for voice search can take better information from your website.

Improve your Local SEO

Your local Search Engine Optimization strategy is the most crucial components for you to be in the radar of your target market.

When you have an excellent SEO strategy, chances are, you’ll show up on your target users voice search results. Check out this excellent Dentist SEO Case Study.

For you to have excellent SEO, you need to have the following factors ‒ high-quality content, optimized page speed, links and so on.

So when it comes to voice search, you have to think about what you’d like to be known for.

You also have to include the following information in your profile:

• The location of your business
• Its operating hours
• The city or town you’re currently based in

Focus on Long Tail Local Keywords

Keywords are vital. They help a prospect find you on Google searches. Therefore, you need to have a smart keyword strategy to gain organic traffic on your site.

Ideally, you should go for long-tail keywords (that your usual shorter keywords.) They account for a staggering 70 percent of online searches. It’s because, a lot of users are specific with what they’re searching for, especially on voice search.

Also, good keyword placement and other relevant content of your business help you rank better on search.

Now, think about all the keywords that you want to specifically rank for.

Then place them in your content strategically. That way, when a prospect is searching, you’ll show up on the search results.

Utilize excellent keyword tools such as Moz Keyword Explore and Ahrefs Keyword Explorer.

Add Security on Your Website

It was back in 2014 when Google first announced that HTPPs will be given priority in ranking signals. For you to have an HTTPS prefix on the URL of your site, you need to buy an SSL certificate.

When you have an HTPPS prefix and an SSL certificate, you’ll have a greater chance of ranking in Google’s searches. Whether those searches are done via text or voice.

The good thing is that buying SSL certificates are quick and easy. Several hosting providers offer them for affordable prices.

Over to You

Without a doubt, the voice search is here to stay. So, ensure that you get the most out of these tips so that you can reap the benefits of this amazing digital technology.

Author Bio: John Vuong is the sole owner of Local SEO Search Inc. John’s mission is to help local business owners improve their online influence so they can dominate their industry. With his business acumen and innate understanding of the local business landscape, John writes blogs that delve on how to customize SEO campaigns based on client needs.